Machine for making



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. e. W. TAFT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING, REPAIRING, AND CLEANING ROADS.

No. 383,572. Patented Jan. 5, 18 86.

WITNESSES A INVENTEIR N. PETERS. Phalmlnhog nphcn Wnshingwn. u. c.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. WITAPT. MACHINE FOR MAKING, REPAIRING, AND CLEANING ROADS.

No. 333,572. Patented Jan. 5, 1886.

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1 HHIIIII mm!\lllllllllllllllllllllllllll "e w m w I R WITNEEIEEEINVENTEIR N. PEYERS PholmLilhognphcr, Washington, D. C.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

. G. W. TAFT.

MAGHINHFOR MAKING, REPAIRING, AND CLEANING ROADS.

No. 333,572. Patented Jan. 5, 1886.

WIINEEEESI INVENTEIR.

N PEYERS. Phm-Limu n ner. WaINnginn. E. El

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet; 4.

G. W. TAFT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING, REPAIRING, AND CLEANING ROADS. No. 383,572. PatentedJan. 5, 1886.

n. PETERS. Main-Lithographer. wmm. n.0,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WV. TAFT, OF ABINGTON, CONNECTICUT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING, REPAIRING, AND CLEANING ROADS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 333,572, dated January5, 1886.

Application filed June 1, 1885. Serial No. 167,219.. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that .I, GEORGE W. TAFT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Abington, in the town of Pomfret, in the county of Windhamand State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for l\Iaking,Repairing,and Clearing Roads; andI declare the following to be a description of my said invention,sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

, My present invention relates to that class of road-machines in whichthe scraper mechanism is mounted in connection with a body or carryingframe supported by front and rear axles and travelingwheels, and adaptedfor oblique or diagonal adjustment in relation tothe line of draft.

The objects of my present improvements are to provide in a road-machinea diagonally-reversible scraper bar or blade having push-bars in rearthereof for sustaining the strain on the ends of said blade from therear axle or back part of the carriage and capable of ready adjustment;also to provide means for adjust-ably connecting said push-bars in amanner that will permit of their releasement to accommodate the reversalor adjustment of the scraper to its several working positions;

' also to provide means for the convenient locking and unlocking of thepush-bar-holding mechanism at the pleasure of the operator from hisposition on the machine; also to provide in combination with thecarriage and diagonally-reversible scraper-blade sustained bypushing-supports at the rear thereof, a turn-table, pivot-beam, orswingframe from which the blade is suspended; also to provide ahand-wheel and gear mechanism, in

connection with said swing-frame, for effecting vertical adjustment ofthe blade or scraper and its push-frame independently at either endthereof; also to provide an improved"handwheel and gear-segmentoperating mechanism for manipulating and adjusting scrapers or blades inroad machines; also to provide means for conveniently stopping, holding,and releasing the lifting mechanism, and,'gencrally,

to perfect and improve various details of construction and operation inmachines of this class, as hereinafter more fully explained. Theseobjects I attain by mechanism the nature, construction, and operation ofwhich are illustrated in the drawings, and explained in the followingdescription, the particular subject-matter claimed being hereinafterdefinitely specified.

In the drawings,

invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, the rear corner being insection the better to show construction of under parts. Fig. 3 is atransverse vertical section in rear of the scraper looking toward thefront of the machine. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the rear axle,push-bars, blade, and blade swinging appliances. Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 3, but showing some modification in the Figure l is aplan view of a road-machine embracing the features of my brake device,and in manner of attaching the elevating-bars, push-bars, and chainswith the I blade. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the swingframe and brake-baras shown in Fig. 5, and Fig. 718 side view showing a modification inmanner of detachably securing the push-bars at the axle or rear part ofthe carriage.

In referring to parts, A denotes the carriage, body, or frame, B and Bindicate the traveling-wheels, and E E the axles on which said body ismounted. The forward axle, E, isprovided with suitable tongue and draftappliances, E for the attachment of the team for drawing the machine inthe usual manner. The rear ends of the carriage-timbers are connectedwith the rear axle, E, by suitable castings and bolts at a. The axle Eis in the pres ent instance made as a round shalt, and is rigidly heldin the frame-supporting castings; The V-shaped thrust-frameC is providedwith hearings or eye-castings that fit over the axleshaft, so as toallow said frame to swing thereon as the bladeis raised andlowered. lfother form of axle is desired, the rear ends of the thrust-frame C maybe attached by any suitable hinge connection, or as shown in my formerLetters Patent No. 276,093. The scraper or blade Dis preferablya curvedsteel platewitharemovable re-enforce on its working edge,,although ascraper of any suitable shape may be used, and, if desired, the scrapermay be furnished with a plow-point or with an adjustable wing-plate, orboth, as shown in my former Letters Patent N 0. 315,184. Thisscraper-blade D is connected at its central lower part to the forwardend of the thrustframe 0 by a pivot-joint, cl, that gives free movementfor the diagonal and inclined adjustment of the blade. The hinging forback- Ward and forward pitch of the blade may be on the same joint-pieceor adjacent thereto. As a pivot-joint device for the attachment of theblade and thrust-frame in a road-machine is shown, described, andclaimed by me in a separate application for Letters Patent, (see SerialNo. 173,968,) it need not be more particularly herein described.

F F indicate adjustable push-bars, the forward ends of which are hingedor universally jointed to the rear lower part of the blade D, at or nearthe ends thereof, as indicated at d. Said push-bars extend backwardbeneath the rear end of the machine, and are suitably supported byanti-frictional bearers at 6, so as to slide longitudinally forward orback as the .blade is reversed or swung horizontally to differentpositions of adjustment, and suitable means are provided at the junctionof said push-bars with the carriage or its axle E for looking ordetachably fastening said push-bars at their various positions ofadjustment, so that they will sustain the rearward strain on the bladewhen the machine is at work.

In the present instance the locking devices consist of latch dogs orpawls I, pivoted on the axle E in a manner to swing up and down, andengaging with lugs or notches f formed on the bars F F at positionseorre:-:ponding with the several adjustments required for the blade ateither right or left diagonal and at a central position or squarelyacross the machine.

Combined with the dogsI or push-bar-locking mechanism I arrange deviceswhereby the operator from his position on the machine or platform A canat will effect the release of the bars F F to permit the reversaladjustment of the blade D from one position to another, as may bedesired. This releasing mechanism may be made, as indicated, with leversJ, fulcrumed on the carriage-frame or under side of the platform, andconnected at one end with the dogs I, and at the other with afoot-pedal, K, by depressing which the dogs will be disengaged from thebars F. Suitable springs, 8, may be employed for pressing down thelevers or dogs to prevent them from jarring out of place when themachine is at work.

Upon the carriage or body frameA there is arranged a turn-table orswing-frame, G, the ends or arms G of which extend outward above therespective arms of the blade D, and the ends of said blade D arerespectively suspended from adjusting mechanism mounted on saidswing-frame and arranged for independently lifting or depressing eitherend of the scraper.

H H indicate the suspending rods 'or bars for supporting and adjustingthe blade vertically. Said bars are arranged to work up and down throughsuitable guides at or near the ends of the swing-frame G, their lowerends being linked to the blade D, as at h, or in other suitable manner,so as to give a flexible joint, while their upperportions are providedwith connecting gears or racks it, that engage with pinions orlifting-wheels L, supported by short shafts or journal-studs Z insuitable bearings, m, above the swing-frame G. Antifriction rolls may bearranged at the back of the rack-bars H, for guiding and supporting themin contact with the pinions L. Rigidly connected with each of saidpinions orliftingwheels L, and turning on the same axis, is a largegear-segment, M, the peripheral circle of which is adapted forengagement with a small gear or pinion, N, that is connected with and isoperated by a hand-wheel, N, arranged as indicated. The gears N andhand-wheels N are connected to each other, or are fixed to therespective ends ofshort shafts or bearingstuds mounted to turn inbearing on the standards n, which latter are fixed upon the swingframeG. Said standards support the mechanism at a position where the rims ofthe hand-wheels will be at a height convenient for the hand of theoperator. The handwheel and gears are in the present instance arrangedto work in planes parallel with the length of the swing-frame G, one settoward the right and the other toward the left, so as to bring thehand-wheel rims at the back of the turn-table or swing-frame andconvenient for the operator standing on the platform A.

At the rear edge of the swing-frame Gstops or brake devices P arearranged for engaging the hand-wheels N for looking or holding themechanism in position. Said brakes may consist of a pad, bearing-piece,or latch-dog b. connected with a rocking shaft, P, journaled in bearingson the beam G, and provided with a torsional or coiled spring, P, forpressing the dog or pad against the rim of the wheel. A suitable pedalis provided in connection with the brake or stop, to enable the operatorto throw off the brake and release the mechanism by pressure thereonwith his foot.

As a modification,the brake device may be made as a long bar or flatspring extending from one wheel N to the other, and centrally supportedby three studs projecting from the beam G in a manner to cause the endsto press up against the rims of the wheels N, the brake being releasedby pressing down the end thereof with the foot. The suspending-bars orracks are in the present instance located so as to mesh with the innerside of the pinions L, or at the same side of the axis as the segments;but, if desired, they might be arranged at the opposite side. This wouldsimply change the direction of movement of the segment when lifting theblade.

I 0 As another modification, if desired,the handwheels N could bedisposed to stand crosswise of the turn-table G, or at right angles tothe plane of the gear-segments M. The pinion and segment gears in thatcase would be made as bevels, instead of spur-gearing. I prefer,however, the relative arrangement shown.

The hand-wheel, gear-segment, and pinion mechanism operating as setforth may be em ployed for manipulating the blade or scraper devices ina road-machine of other construction than the one herein illustratedwith beneficial results, and I include such use as within .the scope ofmy invention.

Attached to the blade D, which is hinged at d d for backward and forwardpitch or tipping action, is a lever, B, the moving end of which extendsto a position within reach of the operator, and which enables him tovary the forward and backward inclination of the blade D, and a recessedrack or segment, R, or other suitable device is combined therewith in amanner to retain said lever, together with the scraper-blade, atdifferent degrees of pitch adjustment. The rack or locking bar R isinthe present instance arranged through a seat in the lever B to serve asaguidetherefor, and it is pivoted to the swingingframeG in a manner topermit its series of recesses or lugs to catch onto a bolt or lug insaid lever B. The rear end, 1*, of the locking bar R is in position tobe depressed by the foot of the operator when he desires to release thelever R for changing-the adjustment, which is done by raising the barout of engagement with the interlocking lug, and rocking or pitching thescraper or blade forward or back by means of said lever-R. The. end ofthe lever B which connects with the blade D may be attached withaholding bolt and loop, as indicated, so that either end of the blade Dcan be raised without imparting a sidewise movement to the lever.

Tindicates an upright shaft supported in suitable bearings at the rearof the pushframe 0, having at its upper end a handle or Wheel, T, forturning it, and provided below with a sprocket wheel or sheave, T forengaging the links of a ehain,V,which passes around said wheel T and hasits ends respectively connected .with the blade or reversible parts ofthe scraper mechanism, so that revolution of the hand-wheel T by theoperator willdraw upon the chain and swing the scraper-blade Dhorizontally to different positions of adj ustment, accordingly as thewheel is turned to the right or left. The ends of the chain V may beattached directly to the blade D or to the hinge-pieces d, or to thepush-harsh, suspending-bars, or the swinging frame, assuch .parts movewith the blade, and draft on the chain will effect the obliqueadjustment of the scrapermechanism. Said chain may pass to the'wheel Teither above or below the bars of the thrust-frame.

The operation of my improved machine for 'making road is as follows: Themachine is drawn over the road or ground to be worked by horses orcattle attached thereto in the ordinary manner. The driver occupies theseat X, and the attendant stands upon the platform A. For raising ordepressing theend ofthe blade, the attendant takes hold of the rim ofthe hand-wheel N, places his foot upon the brake or stop pedal P, and asthe stop is relieved from the rim he gives the wheel a turn in properdirection and to the required extent, and this movement beingtransmitted by the gearing tothe bar H effects the desired adjustment ofthe blade up or down, accordingly as the wheel is revolved toward theright or left. To horizontally reverse or change the diagonal adjustmentof the scraper, the attendant places his foot upon the pedal K, the

depression of which releases the push-bars.

bear the same relation to the scraper-blade at all positions of itsadjustment.

In lieu of making the push-bar lock with a dog that swings up or downfrom the. bar F, thelocking parts may be arranged so as to have thepush-bar itself moved to andfrom the catch-dog, or so that the lugs willclutch with that portion of the axle on which the strain is borne. Thiscan be effected by a dropping and lifting guide for supporting said barF, the same being actuated by a crank or lever counect-ion under controlof the attendant.

The adjustable push-bars F and their detachable fastening devices may beused with beneficial result in roadmachines wherein the bladeliftingmechanism is ofother construction than that herein illustrated, and Idesire to include such use within the scope of-my invention.

The push-bars, turn-table, adjusting gear, and suspendingmechanism,arranged as herein shown and described, may be employed with ascraper-bar carrying a series of points or srariliers as well as with asmooth-edged scraper'blade.

vI am aware that a road-machine has hereto.- fore been patented (seePatent N 0. 160,535) in which a V-shaped thrust-frame, a turn-table, anda diagonally-reversible scraper are. employed, and I do not thereforeherein make claim to such features, except as combined with otherdevices which I have applied in connection therewith. e

I have in a separate application for Letters Patent (see Serial No.164,547,) described. a system of non-adj ustable push-bars as adaptedfor use in a stiff-angled or non-reversible road-machine. Therefore itwill be. underrelation to the direction of draft. i

What I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. In a road-machine, the'combination, sub stantially as hereinbeforedescribed, with a diagonally-reversible scraper bar or blade, ofadjustable pushbars adapted for sustaining the ends of said scraper fromthe rear and permitting adjustment thereof to either right or leftoblique position.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of adiagonally-adjustable scraper suspended beneath a carriage-frame mountedon front and rear axles and wheels, adjustable push-bars extending fromthe ends of said blade to the rear of the carriage, and means foradjustably fastening said push-bars at their junction with the carriage.

3. In a roadmachine, the combination, substantially as hereinbeforedescribed, of a carrying-frame mounted on front and rear wheels, athrust-frame in rear of the scraper, a diagonally-reversible scrapercentrally pivoted at the front of said thrust-frame, and adjustablepush-bars connected at their front ends with the respective ends of saidscraper and detachably connected at their rear to the carriage or axleof themachine, for the purpose set forth.

4. In aroad-machine, the combination, sub stantially as described, witha carrying-frame mounted on front and rear wheels, a verticallyswingingV-shaped thrust'frame hinged upon the rear axle, and ahorizontally-adjustable scraper pivoted on said thrustframe andsuspended from adjusting mechanism mounted on the carriage, oflongitudinally-adjustable push-bars hinged to the respective arms ofsaid scraper, and locking devices detachably connecting said push-barswith the rear part of the machine, for the purposes set forth.

5. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, ofadiagonally-adj ustable scraper bar or blade, adjustable pushbarssustaining the respective ends of said scraper from the rear, lockingdevices detachably engaging said push-bars at the several positions oftheir adjustment, and disengaging levers or means for releasing saidpushbars in convenient reach of the operator from his position on theplatform of the machine.

6. -In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, ofadiagonally-reversible scraper-blade suspended beneath a carriage or bodyframe mounted on wheels, adjustable ,pnsh-bars sustaining the respectiveends of said scraper from the rear, lockingdogs engaging and detachablysecuring said pushbars at their junction with the carriage or axle,actuating-levers connected with said dogs, and the foot-pedal connectedwith said levers, for the purpose set forth.

a 7. In a road-machine, the combination of the carrying-frame, theV-shaped thrust-frame, the diagonally-reversible scraper pivotallyattached thereto, the adjustable push bars hinged to the endsof saidscraper and provided with recesses to receive engaging-lugs, the rearaxle, consisting of a round shaft to which the thrustframe is hinged,and devices for attaching and detaching said,pushbars therewith undercontrol of the operator, as set forth.

8. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, of acarriage-frame mounted on wheels, aswinging frame or turntable mountedon said carriage, a diagonallyreversible scraper suspended from liftingand adjusting mechanism mounted upon said swinging frame, a centralthrust-frame pivotally connected at its front end with said scraper andhinged at its rear to the carriageaxle, and side push-bars hinged to theends of said scraper and detachably connected with the carriage-axlebyfastening devices under control of the operator, for the purposes setforth.

9. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, witha diagonally-adjustable scraper and the scraper-supporting bars, of thepinion, the segmentgear connected with said pinion, and the hand-wheeland pinion, for the purpose set forth.

10. In a roadmachine, the combination, substantially as described, witha carriageframe mounted on wheels, of a swinging frame centrally pivotedthereon, a vertically-adjustable V-shaped thrust-frame, thediagonallyreversible scraper pivotally connected to the front endthereof, adjusting suspending-bars connecting the ends of the scraperwith lifting-gears supported on the respective arms of the swing-frame,and the gear-segments, pinions, hand wheels, and brake mechanism mountedon said swing-frame in respective right and left order for independentlyadjust- 1 IIO pinion engaging said gear-segment,and ahandwheel fixed tosaid second pinion for imparting motion to said mechanism for adjustingthe scraper, as set forth.

12. In a road-machine, the combination,

with an adjustable.scrapenblade provided with a hand-wheel (orhand-wheels) for operating the blade-adjusting devices thereof, of astop device that engages with said wheel for retaining the wheel andscraper at position of adjustment, substantially, as set forth.

13. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as hereinbeforedescribed, of a diagonally-adjustable scraper-blade pivoted to avertically-adj ustable push-frame, an upright shaft supported'on saidframe and provided with a sprocket wheel or sheave, and a chain passingaround said wheel or sheave and connecled at its ends with therespective arms of the blade, and a hand device for operating said shaftfrom the platform of the carriage, for the purpose set forth. 1

- 14. In a road-machine, the combination,

substantially as described, of a V-shaped thrust-frame sustaining theblade from the rear of the machine, a diagonally-reversiblescraper-blade pivotally connected to said frame, a hand-shaft andsprocket-wheel supported in connection with said frame, and a chainengaging said sprocket-wheel and having its ends connected with theblade, respectively at the right and left of its pivoted center, for thepurpose set forth.

15. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, of acarriage-frame. a diagonally-reversible scraperblade, rearwardlyextending longitudinally-adjustable push-bars connected with the ends ofsaid blade, a hand-shaft and sprocket-wheel, a shifting-chain engagingsaid sprocket and having its ends connected with the respective ends ofthe blade, and devices for detachably fastening the mechanism with theblade at different positions of diagonal adjustment.

16. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, ofthe carryingframe mounted on front and rear wheels, the swing-framepivoted on said carriage for right and left diagonal adjustment, ascraper suspended from the arms or ends of said swingframe by racks andgears, and hand-wheels for imparting motion thereto for raising andlowering the end or -ends of the scraper, and brakes or stop devicesadapted to be operated by the foot engaging with said wheels,substantially as set forth.

17. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as hereinbeforedescribed, of the carriage, the turn-table or swing-frame, adiagonally-adjustable scraper-blade suspended therefrom, and alever forcontrolling the pitch adjustment of said blade.

18. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, ofthe carryingframe mounted on front and rear wheels, the swing-framesupported thereon for right and left diagonal adjustment, thescraper-blade suspended therefrom and hinged for backward and forwardtipping action, a thrustframe sustaining the blade from its rear, and alever and locking device connected with the swinging parts for adjustingthe pitch of said blade, as set forth.

,19. The combination, substantially as described, with the scraper-bladeadapted to have independent vertical adjustment at either end and hingedfor forward and backward pitch adjustment, of a pitchadjusting leverattached to said blade by a pivot adapted to permit such verticaladjustment without imparting sidewise action to the pitch-adjustinglever, as set forth.

20. In a road-machine, the combination, substantially as described, ofthe adjustable scraper-blade D, the longitudinally-adj ustable push-barsF, and guides 6, adapted to sustain the rear part of said push-bars, asset forth.

21. The combination, substantially as described, with the swing-frame Gand handwheels N, of brake mechanism I, arranged on said frame foroperation as set forth.

22. In a road-machine, havinga diagonally and vertically adjustablescraper, the combination, with mechanism by which the scraper issuspended or adjusted, of a hand wheel and pinion, N N, gear segment andpinion M L, and a rack, as h, meshing together for action as set forth.

Witness my hand this 26th day of May, A. D. 1885.

. GEORGE \V. TAF'I.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, FRANK L. WHEELER.

